Barcelona 4 of 9

Last year we took a tower tour of the east tower so this year we did the west tower. A lift took us near the top of the tower base where we has a wonderful view over the city and out to the surrounding mountains. Then we climbed to the top of the tower where the view was amazing. Looking down we could see the tops of the trees in the park below and people looked like miniature action figures.

We were so high up above everything around us and as we had to walk all the way down we took our time enjoying every moment and all the different kinds of the ornamentations, towers and even workmen high up on the roof putting some finishing touches to Gaudi's creations.

We had to use a narrow circular winding staircase to descend from the tower but there were plenty of sightseeing alcove spots to stop at when there were some unusual above- the- roof line  structures to see. We has some very close views of the colourful mosaic tile decorations. From our tower slit windows we watched a craftsman working high up "in the clouds" sitting on a scaffold landing, behind netting The netting is to provide protection from the elements, birds, the danger of falling and to prevent 'things'. Falling to the ground and causing damage to people or the edifice.

The other thing that struck us was the extreme intricate detail that we were able to see as we descended the tower. I have included one example of  a leaf pattern on one of the many spires. It is presented  as green palm leaves and a delicate white dove with wings a flutter has been sculptured and perched adjacent to the palm leaves. The detail is so high above the ground that it's detail is lost to the naked eye from the ground.  This is Gaudi's to a 'tee'. The palm leaf and dove are symbols of sovereignty and the Holy Spirit and Gaudi's plans placed these symbols and many others atop his iconic steeples and towers to acknowledge God his creator.

The descent down the spiral staircase takes quite some time as it is single file for much of the way but there is plenty of time to view the city or enjoy a close encounter with some of the decorations adorning the many decorative carvings on the top of the cathedrals roof structures. Within the walls of the tower there are small slit-windows, mini balconies and passing bays with views so it does not feel at all  claustrophobic even though the tower stairwell is narrow.